Alton Main Street

09/02/2026

The Old Bakery Beer Company is so excited to partner with Honeybee Vintage for A Very Vintage Saturday on September 5!

OBB will have vintage-inspired merch, prohibition era cocktail specials, and live music from The Gaslight Squares from 12-3 PM! Over at Honeybee Vintage you'll be able shop their super sidewalk sale; and if you purchase a Honeybee tote bag you'll receive 10% off all the vintage items you can fit inside! Duke Bakery is also getting in on the fun - you can find the Duke-on-the-Go truck parked outside of Honeybee Vintage from 11 AM - 3 PM with donuts and their new line of sodas!

Make a day of it, and check out some of the other great vintage and antique stores around downtown while you're at it!

09/01/2026

Jacoby Arts Center and the Troy Taylor's American Oddities Museum invite all 2D and 3D media artists to submit work for "Ghost Stories: The Art of Oddities," a juried exhibition exploring visual interpretations of ghost stories, folklore, and urban legends. We are looking for images inspired by individuals' interpretations of the tales of ghost stories, hauntings, history, urban legends, and folklore involving the Riverbend region as well as globally. Submission deadline is September 5th!

Visit jacobyartscenter.org/exhibits for full details!

08/31/2026

Announcing: September Sunset Series Fridays From 6 - 9PM at the Alton Amphitheater!

Join the Alton Amphitheater Commission for its new concert series, a relaxed evening experience featuring outstanding regional musicians, local food vendors, cold drinks, lawn games, and some of the most beautiful sunsets you'll find anywhere along the Mississippi River. Bring a chair and settle in for a perfect autumn evening on our riverfront lawn. Admission is free!

9/4 - Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch (Blues)
9/11 - Aragon (Rock)
9/25 - Borderline (Country)

08/30/2026

Secure your financial future this fall with two free, educational Lunch & Learn workshops at The Wedge at 620 E. Broadway!

On Thursday, September 3rd at 12pm, Taxes in Retirement explores tax-reduction strategies, Social Security optimization, and Roth conversions to help stretch your savings.

On Thursday, September 10th at 12pm, Estate Planning & Taxes features financial advisor Curtis Stephens and attorney Elizabeth V. Heller sharing key insights on wills, trusts, asset protection, and efficient wealth transfer. Enjoy a complimentary lunch while gaining expert advice with no pressure or obligation.

Seating is limited—reserve at stephensplanning.com or call 618-551-0028.

08/29/2026

Elysian Gallery & Café invites you to "Beyond the Rainbow", a juried exhibition celebrating LGBTQ+ artists and their creative voices. The show opens today, August 29, with an opening celebration from 6-9PM and will run through September in honor of Alton’s Pride Month.

They’re open late throughout the week and are always happy to host meetings, small gatherings, and community groups in their welcoming space. Keep an eye out for upcoming events, including literary nights, music open mic nights, game nights, and artist meet‑ups. They look forward to seeing you and continuing to build a vibrant, inclusive arts community in Alton.

08/28/2026

Jazz lovers, make plans to celebrate one of Alton’s most legendary sons. The 2026 Alton Jazz & Wine Festival is happening tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, at the Alton Amphitheater, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birth. Enjoy an evening of live jazz, wine, food, and beautiful Mississippi River views. The lineup includes Kasimu Taylor’s 100 Miles Tribute, Playadors, and Butcher Brown.

Event Schedule:

5:00 p.m. — Gates Open
6:00 p.m. — Kasimu Taylor’s 100 Miles Tribute
7:15 p.m. — Playadors
8:30 p.m. — Butcher Brown
10:00 p.m.— Festival Concludes

General Admission Lawn tickets start at just $10. https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/alton-jazz-wine-fest-2026

08/27/2026

Tomorrow is Newsletter Friyay! That means Bel and Chantel will be whipping up our print and e-news and distributing to all our local, Downtown businesses and digital subscribers. Want to get signed up for a hot-n-fresh delivery to your inbox each month? Click here: https://downtownalton.com/newsletter-archives/

Are you a local business that would like to be featured in our monthly newsletter? Join us as a Partner Business and enjoy this (among many other) perks for only $100 per year! https://downtownalton.com/partner/

08/26/2026

Rachel Lappin joined our new office assistant Bel on the radio at 107.1 The Big Z this morning to talk about the Jacoby Arts Center Art Playground at the Mississippi Earthtones Festival this year! Plus, she runs down all their fun workshops and classes being offered at the center this Fall. If you missed it, you can catch the episode right here:

Rachel Lappin from Jacoby Arts Center stops by the Big Z Morning Show to preview what they'll bring to the upcoming Mississippi Earthtones Festival in September along with a preview

08/24/2026

Hey, whatcha doing tomorrow? You can join us to watch the Flotsam River Circus at the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area - and enjoy this unique, family-friendly performance EXPERIENCE!

The exact location in the park will depend on the water level, but they'll be easy to find. Just look for the most unusual 'boat' on the water! (Don't let the video's location fool you, this was filmed during a rehearsal in a different spot!)

The show is family-friendly, but intended for audiences of all ages. The performance starts at 6:30 pm and will be finished before 8:00. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come early for a good spot!

The show is free to attend, but the organization keeps the project 'afloat' (pun intended!) through donations. Suggested entry fee of $10–$25 per person! Cash is welcome, or you can Venmo them at . They are a 501c3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible! Hope to see you there!

08/21/2026

🎺 100 YEARS OF MILES DAVIS, ONE SPECIAL NIGHT IN HIS HOMETOWN 🎺

In 2026, the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birth — and there’s no better place to honor his legacy than Alton, Illinois, where his journey began.

The 2026 Alton Jazz & Wine Festival will be held on August 29 from 6–10 p.m. at the Alton Amphitheater! Experience the music and spirit inspired by one of jazz’s greatest innovators, featuring:

🎶 Kasimu Taylor’s 100 Miles Tribute
🎶 Playadors
🎶 Butcher Brown

Enjoy an evening of incredible jazz, wine, food, and Mississippi River views as we celebrate the lasting influence of an Alton legend.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! General Admission Lawn tickets start at $10.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/alton-jazz-wine-fest-2026

📍 Alton Amphitheater
📅 Saturday, August 29
🕕 6–10 p.m. | Doors at 5 p.m.

More information: https://altonriverfrontamphitheater.com/event/jazz-and-wine-festival/?utm_source=chatgpt.com